Fight Traffic Ticket in Arkansas

Know Your Options

Usually, you can either plead guilty or no contest and pay your traffic ticket fine or plead not guilty and fight your charges in court.

NOTE: Some citations indicate you must appear in court, regardless of how you plan to plead.

What it Means to Fight Your AR Traffic Ticket

Generally, to fight your AR traffic ticket, you:

• Either appear in court on, or contact your court before, the “Plea and Arraignment” date printed on your ticket.
• Enter a not guilty plea.
• Prepare your case, possibly with help from a traffic ticket lawyer.
• Present your case in court.
• Receive your verdict.

Drivers found not guilty aren’t held responsible for their traffic ticket fines or any violation-related penalties; drivers found guilty must take care of all associated ticket fines and penalties.

Pleading Guilty or No Contest

Some drivers feel it’s more convenient to just pay their fines and deal with the penalties―especially if their violations are minor and their driving records won’t suffer terribly from the points.

Learn more about this option, including whether you can pay your fine online, at Paying Your Traffic Ticket.

Avoid Additional Charges

Check your citation for a hearing date. Many courts call this the “Plea and Arraignment” date. You must either―

• Show up in court and enter a not guilty plea, or
• Call your court and enter a not guilty plea

NOTE: The same is true if you’re found guilty and don’t pay your fine, court costs, and other associated surcharges on time.

Notify the Court

Determine Where to Plead

The District Court for the area in which you received the ticket is where you’ll enter your not guilty plea. Check your ticket for this information, or refer to Lost AR Traffic Ticket if you’ve misplaced your citation.

You can also check the Arkansas Judiciary District Court's Web page for court contact and website (when applicable) information.

NOTE: As of January 2012, Arkansas no longer has City Courts. These courts used to handle city-level traffic tickets, but all citations go through District Courts now.

Inform the Court

Most courts allow you to either―

• Appear in court on your “Plea and Arraignment” date, or
• Call your court on or before your “Plea and Arraignment” date

Rescheduling or Postponing Your Hearing

To avoid problems, contact your court as soon as you know you can’t make your hearing date.

Hire a Traffic Ticket Attorney

Considering hiring a traffic ticket attorney if you:

• Want assistance preparing and presenting your case, including gathering evidence and subpoenaing witnesses.
• Don’t want to speak in court.
• Are open to a plea agreement.
• Are having trouble rescheduling or postponing your hearing.
• Want to appeal a guilty verdict.

NOTE: Some drivers hire attorneys if they’re facing serious charges such as DUI or DWI, any charge involving incarceration, or suspended or revoked driving privileges.

Prepare Your Case

Keep these tips in mind as you prepare for your traffic ticket hearing:

• You’ll have the chance to tell your side of the story. This is called your testimony. Practice it, even if your lawyer is going to speak for you.
• Gather any evidence and subpoena any witnesses that can help your case.
• Talk with an attorney about any plea agreements for which you might be eligible.

Plead Your Case Before a Judge or Jury

You can expect your judge to:

• Listen to testimony from both sides, including witnesses.
• View any evidence presented.
• Give a verdict.

Generally, judges allow time for opening and closing statements, as well as questioning and cross-examination.

A not guilty verdict means you don’t have to pay the traffic ticket fine or deal with any penalties.

A guilty verdict means you’re responsible for all related ticket fines and penalties. You can file an appeal, though.

Filing an Appeal

The judge or court’s clerk will explain how to file an appeal. Your appeal will go to the area’s Circuit Court.

Check Your Driving Record

The Office of Driver Services (ODS) sends warning letters to drivers who accumulate 10-13 points on their records.

Still, you should check your driving record after your traffic ticket hearing to make sure:

• You received no points for your not guilty verdict.
• You received only the applicable number of points for your guilty verdict.

Learn more at AR Driving Records.

Shop for Better Auto Insurance Rates

Often times, a guilty verdict means increased auto insurance rates the next time you renew your policy.

Talk with your agent about this possibility, and if you find out your rates will increase, consider shopping for lower rates now to get a jump on more affordable coverage.